With lawmakers, Emanuel tries a personal approach

New mayor reaches out in a way that Daley did not

Numerous state lawmakers say Mayor Rahm Emanuel has brought the style he honed in Washington to Springfield — including his willingness to drop diplomacy. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune)

Dozens of Illinois lawmakers got the visiting-dignitary treatment from Mayor Rahm Emanuel on a recent Thursday trip to Chicago, touring the city by CTA bus before joining the mayor for a private reception at Millennium Park.

The afternoon of festivities was described by many in attendance as unique in the history of City Hall-Statehouse relations — a combination educational and schmooze session on the mayor's home court aimed at bridging the traditional divide between Chicago and Springfield.

From the moment he was elected, Emanuel has not been shy about how much help — and money — he wants from a state government controlled by fellow Democrats. He lobbied lawmakers this spring for measures to give him more control of public schools and to legalize a city-owned casino. And with a fall session of the General Assembly looming, Emanuel has more on his wish list.

Lawmakers who had grown weary of former Mayor Richard Daley's lack of engagement have so far responded warmly to Emanuel, who is reaching out to both parties. Chicago Democrats mixed with Rockford Republicans at Millennium Park, where they munched on mini-cheeseburgers and spoke about the importance of the state's largest city. House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago were there, as were top GOP leaders and many Chicago aldermen.

Emanuel laid out elements of his legislative agenda during their tour, which included stops at the National Teachers Academy school and the state-of-the-art 911 center. Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard discussed education funding, and CTA Board Chairman Terry Peterson explained how hundreds of millions of dollars are needed every year simply to keep public transit functioning.

"I was really impressed," said House Republican Leader Tom Cross of Oswego. "If you are a downstate legislator, there is kind of a natural tendency to have an anti-Chicago attitude. And if you can have them come to the city and take the edge off, that helps."

It was well-known that Daley held little interest in the mechanics of Springfield politics. Though he began his career as a state senator, Chicago's longtime mayor often simply let legislative leaders know where he stood on a handful of issues, then left the follow-through to a cadre of city lobbyists.

Emanuel, on the other hand, is highly experienced at working compromises and legislation, having worked for two presidents and carried a leadership post in the U.S. House. State lawmakers say he's brought the style he honed in Washington to Springfield — including his willingness to drop diplomacy.

While lobbying this spring for lawmakers to support a change in pensions for city workers, Emanuel called Democratic state Rep. Greg Harris, a longtime acquaintance who represents Emanuel's North Side neighborhood. Harris opposed the legislation, which never got traction in Springfield.

Emanuel pressed Harris to change his mind, and, according to several lawmakers who heard the story, began swearing at him and threatening to burn down his house if he didn't.

Harris didn't dispute the story but declined to provide details of the conversation.

"It was a really heated exchange, but that's fine, that's politics," Harris said. "People are passionate about their positions, and sometimes things get intense. … I also have a temper, and I know bad words too."

Harris, who joined the mayor at Millennium Park, said it was only one of several conversations he has had with Emanuel since he became mayor, and that most of the time, the two agree on issues.

Emanuel has focused much of his legislative energy on support for a massive expansion of gambling that would include a Chicago casino. He has said he would spend hundreds of millions of dollars from the casino to rebuild public transit, schools and sewers.

On one of the final days of the spring session, Democratic state Rep. Mary Flowers of Chicago said the mayor's lobbyists quizzed her on whether she supported the gambling bill. She told them she didn't have much of an opinion on it but did have some thoughts on education.

A few minutes later, she recalled, Emanuel called. The mayor told Flowers he shared many of her opinions about changes in schools, including extending the school day. Flowers said he didn't even have to bring up the casino bill. At the end of the day, she voted for it.

"I knew the reason he was calling. He didn't have to ask," Flowers said. "I thanked him and told him I look forward to working with you."

Gov. Pat Quinn has indicated he may not sign the gambling legislation out of concern it is too expansive and could undermine state oversight of the industry. Emanuel is already looking for support on a compromise measure that could come up in the fall veto session, although lawmakers said the mayor didn't push the casino at his reception.